Smoke Sesh Etiquette: A Guide to Smoking Weed with Your Friends

Before the pandemic hit in March 2020, it was estimated that around 48 million people consumed cannabis. Now, in 2022, that number has spiked to 55 million, with 45% of Americans saying they’ve tried cannabis products at least once. This year on 4/20, we saw record breaking numbers of seasoned stoners and cannacurious consumers emerge from isolation. In a post pandemic haze, they came out in droves to celebrate cannabis culture. 4/20 may be over, but at Sesh, we’re still vibin. With summer on its way, event season upon us, and an increasing number of novice users rushing the market, it seems like the perfect time for a refresher on smoke sesh etiquette.

Pop culture commonly references smoke sesh rules like “puff, puff, pass” and often includes all of the steps that lead to lighting up. However, most aspects of cannabis etiquette are only obvious to those who already actively participate in its consumption. As recreational cannabis legalization increases, and smoking weed becomes more normalized, a number of newbies begin to blaze up. Many of them are doing so without knowing how to tactfully handle themselves while being socially stoned. What follows is a convenient guide to smoke sesh etiquette and all of its nuances.

Smoke Sesh Basics

A sesh, also referred to as a smoke “session,” is the communal act of smoking cannabis. Veterans in the industry agree that a solid smoke sesh is among one of the most enjoyable aspects of being a member of this unique community. This group activity offers a fun way to bond with friends and also works as the perfect icebreaker when meeting new people. Humans are social creatures by nature, so it makes sense that smoking cannabis (oftentimes) is a social practice. Like any other form of social interaction, it's important to be aware of the social norms that influence smoke sesh etiquette. Cannabis culture is ever-evolving. While it looks a lot different than the classic stoner culture we see in films, it’s still as important as ever to know how to be polite when you're sparking up with others.

Smoke Sesh Etiquette 101

Etiquette in the cannabis community has existed for centuries and encompasses a list of unwritten rules that have been passed down (often over a smoke sesh) from generation to generation. These “rules” can offer guidance to members of the cannabis community on how to intentionally interact with the plant in social settings. At the end of the day, the foundation of cannabis etiquette is based on mutual respect, appreciation for the plant, and a collective desire to create positive social change. Simply put, smoke sesh etiquette is about making sure people

General Smoke Sesh Etiquette

Sharing is Caring - But BYOW, Too!

It's simple, but a big part of stoner culture is sharing your glorious green. A smoke sesh is a chance to bond, if you’re blessed with some good ganja it’s best practice to share. This growing industry is still highly reliant on taste-testing and referrals. Sharing your favorite products will not only keep the sesh rolling, it can also help your favorite brands gain popularity in a saturated market.

It is also important that the same person isn’t supplying the goods for every safety meeting. But, if you’re inviting friends over to smoke, you should never assume someone else will bring weed as well. While it’s common for participants to throw down a few nugs from their stash, you should be ready to smoke them out with yours. It’s important that there’s enough for everyone to enjoy. If your stash is running low, discreetly step away to a private setting (with less people) instead of choosing to blatantly leave people out.

Pass to the Left

In terms of smoke sesh etiquette, there is an unspoken rule that when in a group or smoke circle, it is proper practice to pass to the person on your left. This practice has become a routine part of cannabis culture and smoke sesh etiquette. While there is no definitive reason, it is said that this rule helps stoners avoid confusion and ensures everyone gets their hit.

Don’t Share if You’re Sick

COVID has shown us how impactful sharing germs can be. If you’re sick, avoid sharing a joint with anyone else. You can bring your own weed to smoke and keep to yourself, or avoid the sesh altogether. While there is evidence that sweet Mary Jane may potentially offer antibacterial benefits, this does not include curing your cold or stopping the spread of a virus between friends. If you’re feeling under the weather it's probably best to keep your distance until the next sesh.

Knowledge is Power

It is always important to let people know what they’re smoking. There is nothing worse than taking a tasty toke, thinking you’ve hit some potentially uplifting flower, only to find yourself clutching the couch in a sleepy haze. It’s always best practice to drop some knowledge on the group. Offer info on your bud including strain, producer, and what they can expect from the experience. This step can make or break a newbie's experience with cannabis and can set the tone for future interactions.

Respect Choices and Avoid Peer Pressure

Peer pressure isn’t cool, and if someone knows their limits it’s never a good idea to try to push them past them. That’s how people get greened out or become uncomfortable—don’t ruin the vibe by pushing someone's boundaries. Cannabis culture was built on the idea of acceptance and compassion. As a result, it is important to respect someone’s choices. It’s looked down upon to make anyone feel uncomfortable in their endeavors. Remember cannabis affects everybody in different ways, there is no one size fits all.

In addition to respecting the choices of those partaking in the sesh, it is equally important to be respectful of non-smokers in the area. Smoke can be uncomfortable for some, a big part of smoke sesh etiquette is considering how your participation impacts others, and how you can limit the potential for negative experiences.

Know Your Limits

Just because the people around you continue smoking, doesn’t mean you have to. A smoke sesh is not a competition, it is supposed to be relaxing and enjoyable. If you’ve reached your limit, simply take the product and hand it to the person on your left and continue to vibe with your friends.

Etiquette Tips for Smoking Joints, Blunts, and Pre-Rolls

As we’ve previously discussed, a common factor in any group sesh is the joint/blunt’s progression (to the left) around the circle. In addition to rotation direction, here are some simple, yet respectful, steps you can take to ensure a pleasant experience for everyone in your circle.

If You Roll It, Spark It

It’s common practice that whoever rolls the joint or blunt, has first dibs on lighting up. Keep in mind it's always polite to offer the first hit to a new friend or to the host of the smoke sesh, but don’t be surprised if they let you take the first toke.

Ash Before You Pass

This simple step is often missed by newer smokers. Before you pass your joint/bluntt make sure to ash it. This way, your fellow smokers are handed a beautiful joint/blunt with a red hot tip instead of being stuck with your ashy leftovers.

Follow The Classic Puff, Puff, Pass Ritual

Not to be confused with the new Puff Puff Pass card game, this highly revered tradition formed to help make sure everyone in the circle gets a hit before the joint/blunt becomes a roach. Common practice says you should take just two hits before passing it along to the person on your left. Another benefit of this golden rule is it reminds you not to sit on the spliff for too long. Remember sharing is caring, so don’t hog it, and definitely don’t let it burn while you’re talking - pass it along to someone else if you have a story to tell. The benefit of the circle is that it will always make its way back to you.

Keep it Dry

There are few things worse than being passed a soggy slobber covered joint. Be intentional when smoking and be sure not to fish lip during the sesh. This means, don’t touch your tongue (or the inside of your lips) to the joint. If you’re smoking a blunt, pop your lips open while inhaling and do your best to avoid getting saliva on it.

Don’t Stash and Dash

Another cardinal rule of any smoke sesh is to never stash and dash: meaning, never put a joint/blunt out before asking everyone if they want another hit. This truly comes down to preference. Some people stop smoking when it becomes a roach, while others aren’t afraid to smoke it all the way down to the filter. Be kind and courteous to your fellow smokers and make sure everyone is done before putting it out.

Etiquette Tips for Passing Bongs, Pipes, and Bubblers

Corner the Bowl

When smoking alone you can light your bowl however you please. However, when sparking up with a group, it’s always a good practice to share the green by “cornering the bowl,” or light from the edge to save fresh green hits for everyone in the circle. A green hit is filled with tantalizing terps, so it’s polite to share with your fellow stoners. If you take the first (or second) hit, make sure you only light the corner instead of charring the entire top of the bowl. This not only improves the longevity of the bowl, it also lets everyone get a hit of fresh and flavorful weed.

Wipe the Mouthpiece After Your Hit

Leaving behind drool or saliva for the next person to encounter with their hit is a gross no-no. Wipe the mouthpiece before you pass it along. This is a vital unwritten rule within smoke sesh etiquette.

Clear the Chamber

No one likes stale smoke. If you’re smoking out of a bong, bubbler, or anything with a chamber, make sure to clear the device before you pass it. This allows the next person to have a fresh hit. If the rip is too big, or you have no desire to taste the stale smoke yourself, you can blow it out the other end of the device. In addition to clearing the chamber, it’s important that you don’t pass ash. If a bowl is cashed, or if you clear it, offer to repack with your own bud or announce it is empty and set it down or pass it to the host of the sesh.

Keep it Clean

Trust us, nobody wants to put their mouth on a filthy bong. Even if the mouthpiece is clean, it's good practice to clean the entire piece—especially if you’re planning on smoking out others. Your friends may say they don’t mind but putting fresh water in a clean bong is hardly too much to ask for when you're hosting a talk and toke sesh. Not only will the flower taste better, you’ll be offering a cleaner and healthier experience to your guests.

Dabbing Etiquette for Beginners

Set the Tone

Before a veteran stoner smokes out a new dabber it is important to set clear expectations on the experience. You want to make sure their first dab is a pleasant experience for everyone involved. Dabbing is way more potent than smoking, so it’s essential to warn first-timers about the possible intensity of the experience. Always start with smaller dabs and work your way up. Make sure you show them how to dab as well, this method can be overwhelming for newer users so ask if they would like you to walk them through the experience or show them what the process looks like.

Keep Tools and Accessories Clean

The cleanliness of your tools directly influences the quality of your dab. Make sure to keep your device clean and have alcohol wipes and Q-tips on hand to clean the mouthpiece and banger between uses.

Be Safe (AKA Don’t Touch Hot Sh*t)

Dabbing is more complicated, and can be more dangerous, than smoking flower as it requires high heat to get the job done. Daily dabbers know to never touch a hot nail or device, but someone who primarily smokes flower may not know the importance of avoiding the scalding pieces of a dab rig.

Setting the tone and ensuring everyone involved understands how to use your rig will help to reduce the chance of accidents that could result in injury or serious burns. Make sure to stress with guests the importance of avoiding the hot nail or coil, remaining cautious around open flames (if using a torch,) and offer to help them with the carb cap to keep the rotation moving.

If It’s Not Yours, Don’t Touch It

Unless the host has offered, don’t touch someone else’s concentrates. Be respectful and ask permission to look at or handle someone's wax. Don’t just assume they’re going to smoke you out.

A Little Dab'll Do Ya

A key to having, and providing, a solid dab sesh experience is to make sure to not over consume. Trust us, dabbing too much is entirely possible and it’s not the friendliest experience. To avoid potential anxiety attacks or nausea, new dabbers should start small: you can always dab more but you can’t dab less.

When in Doubt, Smoke it Out

The social element of cannabis consumption is almost as ancient as the plant itself. Humans have historically smoked in group settings while using cannabis as a creative lubricant to let loose, create deeper bonds, and share ideas. The culture of this community is deeply rooted in shared experiences. Due to this, a set of unspoken rules and smoke sesh etiquette has been developed to aid in ensuring all participants have a good time.

As national views on cannabis use evolve towards more widespread legalization, old-school veterans can finally talk openly (and safely) about the traditions of cannabis culture without feeling ashamed. In this ever-changing industry, new users have a lot to learn about how to talk about and use cannabis in social settings. Luckily, there are plenty of long-time consumers and growers that have a wealth of knowledge to share. At the core of it all is a mutual consideration, cultural respect, and approaching every smoke sesh with good energy and intentions.